Lent has provided several opportunities for us to read from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.  Happily, today is another such day (Mt 5:17-19).  Jesus teaches how even the smallest part of a letter of the law must not be abolished until He fulfills all of it.  So, breaking any commandment, or leading others to do so, will bring condemnation; others get the promise at top.  The way we conduct our lives is the greatest witness to our core beliefs.  “Do what I say, not what I do” does not fly for authentic Christians.  Self-reform must come first, and must constantly be worked on.  Prayer, examination of conscience, avoiding temptation, regular and frequent Confession, spiritual direction (from good books, or even better, a good spiritual director) are all indispensable to overcome sin, especially those to which we are most prone or which have become habitual.  But Jesus does not stop at simply calling for us to follow the commandments; we are also to teach them to others.  So we must also learn what the Lord asks of us and conform our consciences to an authentic understanding of His teaching.  Fortunately, we have Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition safeguarded by the teaching authority of the Church (the Magisterium).  Read and meditate on the Bible often.  Learn the Faith also from the Catechism and many fine books available for our instruction and edification.  Then you will “always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” (1 Pt 3:15)